DGAO Congress celebrates 25 years of aligner treatment
What has happened in 25 years of aligner treatment? This question was explored by more than 8 internationally renowned speakers and around 22 orthodontists at the 23th Scientific Congress for Aligner Orthodontics on November 2024 and 30, 650, either live in Cologne or online in their own practices. The conference was intended to be a status quo, under the conference motto "25 Years of Aligner Treatment – What's New?" and a look ahead to what will become possible in the future. This balancing act – let's say in advance – was successful; the range of topics was broad, and the response was overwhelming. So – what's new?
First of all, as DGAO President Prof. Dr. mult. Ralf J. Radlanski made clear in his opening remarks, it is important to dispel the misconception that aligner treatments are only suitable for "treating minor misalignments and minor crowding." This claim can still be heard in some places today – and yet it is simply false. Experienced practitioners with the right know-how ("sound knowledge of biomechanics") and modern materials can now successfully treat almost any malposition with aligners. "My prediction is that sooner or later, treatment with aligners will become the standard in modern orthodontic practice. And that the aligner treatment community – and with it our scientific community – will grow significantly."
The role of the temporomandibular joint in aligner treatment
Communicating this expertise was on the agenda for both days of the conference, as well as the pre-congress, which was also held in a hybrid format. This pre-congress, as a "real" pre-congress, began on Thursday, during the setup phase of Cologne's Gürzenich, albeit in a different area. A logistical challenge, however, one that was met with outstanding success. The focus here was on the temporomandibular joint—aligner orthodontics with a specific focus on function. Dr. Boris Sonnenberg (Stuttgart), Dr. Marc Geserick (Ulm), Dr. Theresa Jilek (Wolfratshausen), and Prof. Simona Tecco (Milan) provided insights into multidisciplinary treatment—from diagnostics and treatment to retention—in their presentations.
Attorney Michael Zach offered tips and advice on the legal consideration of function in orthodontics. The afternoon was all about practice – Dr. Werner Schupp (Cologne) and Dr. Sacchin Chhatwani (Lüdenscheid) presented a modern orthodontic practice. They demonstrated a quick run-through of a function-oriented diagnostic procedure – from entering the practice to fitting the aligner – in a test case. It was fascinating how easily the two tools implemented the temporomandibular joint into virtual treatment planning. Their presentation was titled "Next Level Aligner Orthodontics" – and quite rightly so.
Biomechanics and new materials
Over the two main conference days, 33 internationally renowned speakers discussed current developments in the field of aligner treatment. It would be impossible to list them all here. Conference President Dr. Julia Haubrich, together with the board of the German Orthodontic Association (DGAO), succeeded in attracting a who's who of aligner experts from around the world to Cologne. They presented the latest developments in science and research, innovative treatment protocols, and revolutionary materials.
Are the systems comparable? How biocompatible are the plastics currently on the market that complement the digital workflow in the practice as in-office aligners, and what is the current state of research? What can and will AI change in practices in the future? What are the possibilities and limitations of digitalization and AI? All these and many other questions were answered in the presentations at the 2024 DGAO Congress.
Science & Practice
It was precisely the close integration of scientific research with issues of modern practice that made the DGAO Congress so special. Several presentations featured studies on oral quality of life, the biomechanics of aligner systems, and the possibilities of vertical tooth movement using attachments.
Above all, cases were discussed: multidisciplinary cases, complex treatments, combined orthodontic-surgical cases, and treatment protocols for TMD. Successful treatments as well as planning errors were shared with the plenary. The knowledge transfer was tremendous, from evidence-based basic knowledge to innovative forms of therapy.
Digitization & AI
Digitalization also naturally occupied a significant part of the conference program: What are the advantages and disadvantages of the digital workflow? How much more efficiently can fully digitalized practices operate? And what impact will this have on the practice of the future? The issue of the shortage of skilled workers played a role, as did a shift in dental practice toward more screen time.
The conclusion: "Digitalization in orthodontics, of course, also has disadvantages – but also, and above all, enormous advantages. For our patients and for our practices." What may still come in the field of digitalization and AI was outlined in the lecture "The Next Step," which was opened by Dr. Edward H. Angle (or rather, his avatar) and closed by an AI dog, led by Dr. Boris Sonnenberg.
Industrial exhibition at a high level
Innovation was evident not only in the Gürzenich lecture hall, but also outside in the exhibition spaces. Representatives of the dental industry and renowned companies from Germany, Europe, and around the world demonstrated which devices and materials can already facilitate everyday practice, which products are on the horizon, and how processes in orthodontic practices will be made even more efficient in the future.
Interest was tremendous, and the atmosphere was relaxed – this also applied to the supporting program. Both the get-together, hosted by the DGAO together with platinum partner Angel Aligner™, and the DGAO Night in the Cologne waiting room offered ample opportunities for collegial exchange, cultivating international contacts, or simply enjoying a relaxed chat at the bar. At the end of the day, participants, speakers, and exhibitors were highly satisfied.
“An all-round successful congress.” And so Professor Radlanski’s advice to mark the weekend of November 13 and 14, 2026, in your calendar is quite serious: That is when the German Aligner Orthodontics Association will meet again in Cologne’s Gürzenich for the 9th Scientific Congress of the DGAO.
The complete press release:
pr_dgao-kongress-2024-DE.pdf (German) (526 kb)
pr_dgao-kongress-2024-EN.pdf (english) (522 kb)
